UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K
                                 Current Report

                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) : July 20, 2004

                            National Beverage Corp.
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

        DELAWARE                    1-14170                    59-2605822
- ------------------------   ------------------------      -------------------
(State of incorporation)   (Commission File Number)        (IRS Employer
                                                         Identification No.)

                           One North University Drive
                         Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33324
          ------------------------------------------------------------
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

                                 (954) 581-0922
                                 --------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits (c) Exhibit 99.1 Press release dated July 20, 2004 Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition On July 20, 2004, National Beverage Corp. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the fiscal year ended May 1, 2004. This release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto. SIGNATURES - ---------- Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. National Beverage Corp. - ----------------------- (Registrant) Date: July 20, 2004 By: /s/ Dean A. McCoy ----------------- Senior Vice President - Chief Accounting Officer EXHIBIT INDEX - ------------- 99.1 Press release dated July 20, 2004

                                                                    Exhibit 99.1

National Beverage Corp. Reports FY2004 Earnings; Anticipates FY2005 Results

    FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 20, 2004--National
Beverage Corp. (AMEX:FIZ) today announced sales of $512.1 million and
earnings of $18.7 million, or $.51 per share, for the fiscal year
ended May 1, 2004. For the prior year, which included 53 weeks, sales
were $500.4 million, with earnings of $17.6 million or $.48 per share.
    "If one could measure our Company's prognosis, as a master chef
professionally monitors delicately prepared cuisine, the instrument
would read ...OPPORTUNISTICALLY PERFECT!" stated Nick A. Caporella,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We are at the most prospective
time of our existence and the anticipated performance resulting from
Team National's conditioning, beverage basket contents, market/trade
response and corporate philosophy, will generate opportunities
producing more significant revenue and margin growth," continued
Caporella.
    "We agree that the moderate growth of the last couple of years was
the cost of preparation and now...a new organic growth is underway.
The brand dichotomization/demographic strategy has produced Oooh
Shasta, a 0-carb, 0-sugar, 0-calorie beverage, Shasta Shortz, made
just for kids, and the recently announced 'Rip-It', an energy fuel
that has no rival in taste, size and boost," Caporella stated.
    "The dynamics for our future results are now in motion and FY2005
will surely provide our best year's performance since the Company was
formed," he continued. "Additionally, our most recent stock and cash
dividends attest to our long-proclaimed commitment to serve, protect
and provide to our shareholders," concluded Caporella.
    National Beverage produces soft drinks, bottled waters, juices and
juice products and is highly recognized for a line of refreshing
flavors through its popular brands: Shasta(R), Faygo(R), Ritz(R),
Everfresh(R), Mr. Pure(R), LaCroix(R) and Rip-It(R).
Fun & Flavor...the National Beverage Way

                       National Beverage Corp.
            Consolidated Results for the Fiscal Year Ended
                     May 1, 2004 and May 3, 2003
               (in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                  Fiscal Year Ended
                                                 -------------------
                                                   May 1,    May 3,
                                                   2004      2003
                                                 --------- ---------

Net Sales                                        $512,061  $500,430
                                                 ========= =========

Net Income                                        $18,691   $17,589
                                                 ========= =========

Net Income Per Share:
    Basic                                            $.51      $.48
                                                 ========= =========
    Diluted                                          $.49      $.46
                                                 ========= =========

Average Common Shares Outstanding:
    Basic                                          36,937    36,800
                                                 ========= =========
    Diluted                                        38,166    38,120
                                                 ========= =========


    This press release includes forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results,
performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different
from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include
fluctuations in costs, changes in consumer preferences and other items
described in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings
and the Company undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking
statements.

    CONTACT: National Beverage Corp., Fort Lauderdale
             Grace A. Keene, 954-581-0922